Craft beer, spirits, wine, food, music and more!
Shut down the street because it’s an old fashion block party!
Seeking solely to raise money for a cause, the Walkerville Block Party
will engage the community and heighten awareness of poverty within the Windsor
and Essex area - while having fun with friends and family.
The two night affair in Olde Walkerville will create a community
and festive streetscape on Argyle Road (between Wyandotte St E and Assumption
St), located across the street from the Walkerville Brewery.
“The event is brought to you by CUPE 82, Walkerville Brewery &
The Willistead,” said Mike Brkovich, owner Walkerville Brewery, who is one of
the three festival coordinators. “And we’re all incredibly proud to donate 100%
of net proceeds to the United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex County Emergency
Assistance Fund.”
The Emergency Assistance Fund was developed to ensure those in
desperate need of support have somewhere to turn to for help.
“It’s a fund of last resort to support individuals experiencing
emergency situations,” said Leilani Logronio, another of the festival organizers. “If they qualify, the
individual is eligible for a maximum of $5,000 of support through the United
Way, which is only United Way to have a fund of this kind.”
To ensure attendees have an incredible time, the Walkerville
Block Party features: national headliners The Bros. Landreth (2015 Juno Award Winners)
and hometown favourites The Walkervilles; local music both days; six craft
breweries; two distilleries; three wineries; Walkerville food vendors;
community artisan market vendors; food demonstrations; and the introduction of
the Windsor “Slider Decider” Food Challenge.
The “Slider Decider” challenges Walkerville’s top chefs to create
Walkerville’s Best: Veggie Slider; Burger Slider; and ‘Anything But’ Slider.
“We’re all in such proximity with each other, and we’ve been
working together all summer, it made sense to launch the Slider Decider and pit
Walkerville chefs one-on-one,” said Mark Boscariol, owner of the Willistead and
festival sponsor. “Sliders are fun, Walkerville is an incredible neighbourhood,
and we’re excited to be a part of the Walkerville Block Party.”
Neighbourhood chefs will create their own sliders to be judged by
not only a panel of community culinary judges, but also by event patrons.
The musical stage is prominently located between two heritage
industrial buildings to create an intimate, live music entertainment
atmosphere. Once a part of Hiram Walker’s distillery complex, these buildings
known as rack warehouses were used to store and age Canadian Club Whisky.
“Walkerville is one of the most impressive and hip neighbourhoods
in Windsor and we’re so excited to bring this one-of-a-kind event to an area
which is so beloved by the community,” said Rob Kolody, festival organizer.
“It’s not only Walkerville though that’s going to benefit from this event, but
the entire community as well!”
The Walkerville Block Party takes place Friday September 25, 5 pm to 1 am
and Saturday September 26, 1pm-1am.
by Tim Fairhurst
Biz X Magazine
